Review: Tempest Reborn (Jane True, #6)

Author: Nicole Peeler
Series: Jane True, #6
Release date: May 28th 2013
Publisher: Orbit UK
Paperback, 336 pages
Source: Publisher for review
Buy: The Book Depository

Anyan may be trapped in an evil dragon and Blondie may be gone, but Jane knows one thing: she's not about to give up. She's ready to tear down heaven and earth to save her lover, despite those who believe he's lost.

Luckily for Jane, those who've given up on Anyan do not include those closest to her. Defying The Powers That Be, Jane and Company form their own crack squad of misfits, in whose hands the fate of the world may well rest.

With a little help from her friends, the Universe, and lots of snacks, Jane embarks on her greatest adventure yet, confident that with great sacrifice comes great reward. The question is, who will be that sacrifice?

In the sixth and final installment of the series I once adored, Jane True shines brighter than ever. In the interest of full disclosure, I should mention that I’d lost some of my love for her in the last two books. I felt that Peeler was tired of Jane and she made me tired of her, too. But this time, the old Nicole Peeler was back and I could tell how much she enjoyed writing this conclusion.

Tempest Reborn picks up exactly where the last book left off. Jane has suffered many losses and she’s desperate, just like she was when she lost her first love, Jason. But unlike then, she’s not alone – she has allies, friends and family, but most importantly, she is connected to the ancient creature that likes her and wants to lend its strength.

After being pushed and ordered about by everyone but the selected few, Jane finally decides to take control and start acting like the champion. The new Jane is a leader, someone who makes decisions and bears the consequences. With the barghest gone, Ryu is back to help her, but the old flame has long been extinguished. I loved seeing them get comfortable in their friendship and I loved that Ryu got a taste of his own medicine in a way that made him wary, but not resentful.

The romance in Tempest Reborn is exquisite. It’s exactly what I wanted to see ever since Jane and Anyan first showed feelings for each other. Their relationship started as very unbalanced, with Anyan as the more mature and far more experienced, but as Jane suffered one ordeal after another, she also developed a thicker skin and enough self-confidence to be the barghest’s equal. Their happily ever after is wonderful and deeply satisfying and I can’t thank Peeler enough for allowing me to see these characters in such a good, believable place before saying goodbye.

Jane was never one to take sole credit for her accomplishments, but I felt that now more than ever, she realized how much the community means to her. Despite being the champion, the chosen one, she insisted that she was nothing without her friends, and she was probably right.

Although books four and five left a lot to be desired, I still recommend this series as a whole to those who love their urban fantasy with charming characters and a healthy dose of mildly ludicrous humor. I haven’t a clue what the lovely Dr. Peeler is working on next, but I hope she’ll stay true to herself.